HASTA SIEMPRE, LUKA!

Es difícil esto. No lo hice con CASEMIRO y debería haberlo hecho, aunque sí con TONI KROOS. A mí manera, al menos, aunque no individualmente, si no como parte de una entrada que celebraba el último gran éxito madridista. Quizás no me daba cuenta de lo inevitable y es en este momento cuando se me viene todo encima, porque es ahora cuando la mejor sala de máquinas del mejor club de la historia dejará en breve de tener ningún representante en nómina. El inigualable LUKA MODRIC jugará este fin de semana su último partido en el SANTIAGO BERNABÉU y dejará de ser futbolista del primer equipo poco después, por lo que quiero que su más que merecido homenaje sea también el de sus dos amigos y compañeros.

No voy a liarme pensando en la idoneidad o no de no haber sido renovado, en si aún merece la pena que un futbolista de cuarenta años llevé el timón, aunque sea a ratos, de un club como éste, o enumerando sus interminables logros individuales y colectivos. Para qué?

Sólo voy a decir gracias. Gracias por venir. Gracias por quedarte tantos años. Gracias por hacernos competir y por hacernos ganar. Gracias por el futbolista, pero sobre todo, gracias por la persona.

Gracias por ser uno de los nuestros.

Luka con su mejor amiga

Gracias Case. Gracias Antonio. Y gracias Señor Modric. Ya saben dónde está su casa.

No tarden en volver.

Dear Madrid fans, Time has come. The moment I never wanted to come, but that's football, and in life everything has a beginning and an end... On Saturday I will play my last match at the Santiago Bernabéu. I arrived in 2012 with the desire to wear the shirt of the best team in the world and with the ambition to do big things, but I couldn't imagine what came next. Playing at Real Madrid changed my life as a soccer player and as a person. I feel proud to have been part of one of the most successful eras of the best club in history. I want to thank the club from the bottom of my heart, especially the president Florentino Perez, my teammates, coaches and all the people who have helped me during all this time. Throughout these years I've experienced incredible moments, comebacks that seemed impossible, finals, celebrations and magical nights at the Bernabéu... We won everything and I was very happy. Very very happy. But beyond the titles and victories, I carry in my heart the affection of all Madrid fans. I really don't know how to explain the special connection I have with you and how supported, respected and loved I have felt and feel. I will never forget each ovation and all the gestures of affection you have shown me. Leaving with a full heart. Filled with pride, gratitude and unforgettable memories. And even though, after the Club World Cup, I'm no longer going to wear this shirt on the field, I'll always be a Madrid fan. Hala Madrid y nada más!

GRACIAS, LUKA!

PD: Y un día después, CARLETTO da su última rueda de prensa (al menos por el momento) como entrenador madridista. Por segunda vez. El gran LUCAS VÁZQUEZ, casi con toda seguridad, dirá también adiós. Gracias también. Por todo.

Volveremos.

ENGLISH

SO LONG, LUKA MODRIC!

This is tough. I did not do it when CASEMIRO left, even if I should have, although I did it with TONI KROOS. My own way, at least, as part of an entry which  celebrated the club's last big success. Maybe I did not realize it and I do now, given that it is now when the engine room of football's best club ever will soon cease to have any of its member on the payroll. Unparalleled LUKA MODRIC will play this weekend his last game at SANTIAGO BERNABÉU and will finish his time with REAL MADRID soon after, and that is why I'd like his more than well deserved tribute to also be his two friends and partners in crime.

I will not mess around trying to think about the suitability or not of his not having been renewed, about how necessary could be that a forty year old footballer still led, although from time to time, a club like this, or making a list of his endless achievements, both individual or collective. What for?

I will just say thanks. Thanks for coming. Thanks for staying for so long. Thanks for making us compete and for making us win. Thanks for the player, but above all, for the human being.

Thanks for being one of us.

Thanks Case. Thanks Antonio. And thank you Señor Modric. You all know where to find us.

Come back soon

Dear Madrid fans, Time has come. The moment I never wanted to come, but that's football, and in life everything has a beginning and an end... On Saturday I will play my last match at the Santiago Bernabéu. I arrived in 2012 with the desire to wear the shirt of the best team in the world and with the ambition to do big things, but I couldn't imagine what came next. Playing at Real Madrid changed my life as a soccer player and as a person. I feel proud to have been part of one of the most successful eras of the best club in history. I want to thank the club from the bottom of my heart, especially the president Florentino Perez, my teammates, coaches and all the people who have helped me during all this time. Throughout these years I've experienced incredible moments, comebacks that seemed impossible, finals, celebrations and magical nights at the Bernabéu... We won everything and I was very happy. Very very happy. But beyond the titles and victories, I carry in my heart the affection of all Madrid fans. I really don't know how to explain the special connection I have with you and how supported, respected and loved I have felt and feel. I will never forget each ovation and all the gestures of affection you have shown me. Leaving with a full heart. Filled with pride, gratitude and unforgettable memories. And even though, after the Club World Cup, I'm no longer going to wear this shirt on the field, I'll always be a Madrid fan. Hala Madrid y nada más!

GRACIAS, LUKA!

PS: And just one day after, CARLETTO gives his last press conference (so far, at least) as our manager. For the second time. Same situation with the great LUCAS VÁZQUEZ, most likely. Thanks very much as well. For everything.

We'll be back